Why the need to use a catheter?There are many reasons why some people cannot urinate voluntarily and need to empty their bladder via a catheter. The nerve supply to your bladder may have been damaged; you may suffer from back problems or an enlarged prostate. Catheterisation may also be necessary after certain types of surgery, or it may be caused by a particular condition you were born with.

What is a catheter?Intermittent catheters are fine hollow tubes inserted into the bladder to drain away urine. They come in different lengths and sizes for men, women and children. The most advanced catheters have a thin surface coating. When immersed in water this ‘hydrophilic’ coating swells to a smooth, slippery film making the catheter safer and more comfortable to insert.